[Colitis caused by radiation: 20 years' experience]

The 20 year experience with diagnosis and management of radiation colitis at the Gastroenterology Department of the Hospital Oncológico "Padre Machado" is presented. Of 404 cases, 98% were treated for carcinoma of the cervix. The most frequent symptoms were rectal bleeding (71%) and changes in the intestinal habitus (27.2%). Symptoms were present from one month to one year prior to radiation. Flexible sigmoidoscopy in 77.5% of patients showed Grade I and II actinic disease, and X Ray studies sowed Grade II and III in 80%. Thirty eight patients required surgical treatment.